The Jews of Krakow and its Surrounding Towns

 

Biala, Bielsko-Biala, Lipnik

Situated in one of the most picturesque regions of the Carpathian Mountains in southern Poland is the town of Bielsko-Biala.

Bielsko-Biala was once a location of two thriving Jewish communities: Biala under the Krakow administrative organization, and Bielsk (or Bielitz) under the Katowice (or Kattowitz) administrative district. With its surrounding suburb of Lipnik, the town of Biala was at the most western border of Galicia, at latitude of 49' 49" and longitude of 19' 02".

Biala was a business and industrial community famous for its textiles and dye-works. Connected by railways with Vienna and Krakow, Biala was a center of business transactions. Recently (2002) Mr. Jacek Proszyk wrote a wonderful book titled Cmentarz Zydowski w Bielsku-Bialej (Jewish Cemetery in Bielsko-Biala), which is highly recommended reading for those interested in this shtetl. 

Important Biala links:

  • A short description of the very sad fate of Biala and Bielsk cemeteries
  • Several names and a number of mages from the Bielsko-Biala cemetery.
  • MapQuest map of Biala and its location relative to Krakow.
  • Map of Galicia showing location of Biala. 

Biala DataBases:

Copyright 2003. The material on this site is compiled and managed by Elizabeth Landaw. Please contact her if you have any material to contribute.

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